Pata
05-11-2007, 08:32 AM
Adam Gilchrist's use of a squash ball in his glove as a batting aid has been likened to 'taking a steroid' by a leading figure in Sri Lanka cricket.
Australia batsman Gilchrist admitted after the 53-run victory over the Sri Lankans in the World Cup final that he used a squash ball to give him a better grip.
Asantha de Mel, the Sri Lanka chairman of selectors, said: "We must find out whether it enhanced his performance and Gilchrist has admitted that it did."
"He has admitted that it gave more power for his shots, which means that it enhanced his performance. It's like an athlete taking a steroid. Therefore it's unethical."
"Cricket laws don't allow you to have additional equipment."
"The ICC should look into the matter and make sure that it doesn't happen in the future."
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan is preparing to raise the issue at next month's International Cricket Council annual general meeting.
"The Australians are famous for these things," De Mel said.
"They bowled underarm and it was banned. Then Dennis Lillie tried to use an aluminium bat and it was banned too. More recently Ricky Ponting's graphite bat was banned as well."
"The sad point is that most of these things were banned after the damage was done."
De Mel added that preparations for the next World Cup are already underway as Sri Lanka look to build a side capable of winning the competition.
"We are definitely looking at building the side for the next World Cup which is four years from now," said de Mel.
"We feel we have to start early. Realistically we have to look at replacements for the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atappattu and maybe Chaminda Vaas at the next World Cup."
Australia batsman Gilchrist admitted after the 53-run victory over the Sri Lankans in the World Cup final that he used a squash ball to give him a better grip.
Asantha de Mel, the Sri Lanka chairman of selectors, said: "We must find out whether it enhanced his performance and Gilchrist has admitted that it did."
"He has admitted that it gave more power for his shots, which means that it enhanced his performance. It's like an athlete taking a steroid. Therefore it's unethical."
"Cricket laws don't allow you to have additional equipment."
"The ICC should look into the matter and make sure that it doesn't happen in the future."
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan is preparing to raise the issue at next month's International Cricket Council annual general meeting.
"The Australians are famous for these things," De Mel said.
"They bowled underarm and it was banned. Then Dennis Lillie tried to use an aluminium bat and it was banned too. More recently Ricky Ponting's graphite bat was banned as well."
"The sad point is that most of these things were banned after the damage was done."
De Mel added that preparations for the next World Cup are already underway as Sri Lanka look to build a side capable of winning the competition.
"We are definitely looking at building the side for the next World Cup which is four years from now," said de Mel.
"We feel we have to start early. Realistically we have to look at replacements for the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atappattu and maybe Chaminda Vaas at the next World Cup."